Lauren replies, “Uh, yes, yes I did. But that’s not how I know. Um, some of the reasons why I’m up here in New York have been hidden from you. I, um, I’m actually working on a research assignment, a mission actually.” She looks at the floor as she reveals the information, only looking up at them occasionally, when answering questions; “… and I had to keep that fact a secret as a part of that research.”
Robert, “Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am, sir,” she replies. “I want to tell you first off, whenever possible I never ever misled you.” She looks at James, “Only where there was absolutely no other possible way.”
But James is still in a state of utter confusion and does not seem to process her comment.
She adds, “Also, I want to make it clear that none of the things I shared with you, or enjoyed, was an act. I genuinely enjoyed being with you, and would really enjoy counting you as friends when this is all over.”
Joanna, “Well of course, dear. I’ve really enjoyed talking with you.”
Followed by Joseph, “Sure, we think you’re great.”
But Robert and James are not so swift to offer the olive branch. In fact, James, uncharacteristically sternly, says, “When what is over, detective? We don’t even know what you’re investigating!”
Robert adds, “That was my question exactly. What is it you’re looking for? Are we suspected of doing something illegal?”
Lauren says, “No! No, not really. I’m sorry. Um, let me try and explain.” Lauren is very nervous. This is not something she is, at all, trained to do. But she and Hinton thought that this was the best way to proceed. She, first—alone with the family; especially, considering her concern about damaging her relationship with the Markets—which, of course, means with James. “First, I am not actually a detective, I work with the US Secret Service.”
James rolls his head back, “What?”
“Um, yes.” She hands him her Secret Service badge and motions for him to pass it around. “See, I was a researcher for the Service when I discovered that Joey’s prophecies from nine years ago were verifiable as over eighty percent correct.”
Joanna, “Joey’s prophecies? Is that what this is all about?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“So you don’t go to school with my son?”
“Um, not exactly ma’am. Um, I was enrolled only as a part of my research.”
Joanna’s face shows disappointment, which then translates to the whole family.
Robert then says, “So how may we help you,” looking at her badge, “Special Agent Coles?”
“Well, sir, again let me say, I really, really did not want to deceive any of you, and everything I said in our conversations, about my family, or about me were all true. The only parts that were a fabrication had to do with me being a student or having a wedding to go to.”
“Wow,” interjects James.
Lauren, “My assignment was to gather all the information I could as to the source of Joseph’s prophecies, and that assignment was switched in the field to protect this family with my life.”
James has not asked any more questions; which Lauren is not sure how to interpret.
Then Joanna asks, “Protect us from what?”
Joseph, “Or from whom?”
At that moment, a knock comes to the back door. Joseph gets up saying, “I got it!”
But Lauren lunges in front of him and says, “No! Please let me.”
Her reaction puts everyone on edge, and the mood of the room turns even more tense. She opens the door and Sandoval gives her a walkie saying, “We need to be on these from here on out.”
Lauren, “Thank you, Sandoval.”
Robert, “Wait, him too?”
Lauren returns to the opposite side of the room, where she can watch the windows and says, “Uh, yes, sir, both Agent Sandoval and Agent Hinton are with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assigned to this task force.”
At that, James doesn’t so much say anything as he shakes his head and makes a sound of disapproval, “huh-huh-huh.”
Joanna takes Joseph’s hand and says, “Lauren, you’re beginning to make me feel concerned! What’s going on? You were going to say why we needed protecting.”
Lauren adjusts her radio so she can hear any announcements, but not have it be a nuisance. “Um, you see, uh, Joey’s apparent ability to predict future events with such accuracy makes him a sought after person. Let me go back, if I may. See, first, I was just assigned this case to see if the call you all placed to the White House, and the document sent in by your neighbor were viable. So while I was investigating that, I learned of his rather startling success rate. That would not have caused an alarm had he not said, on September third, nine years ago, that the president was going to die. We get many such predictions and crank calls, but when I verified that his prediction of Margaret Jennings’ death was correct, this case went active.”
“Lauren,” says James, finally, “Why the deception? Why couldn’t you have just asked us directly?”
She looks down and says, “Well, the department decided at higher levels, that they would like to review this without any publicity.” She looks up and says, “If we were to determine that this was a hoax, we could move on and not have drawn any undue attention.”
James again, “And what about the people, the friends you would have made, were they to have just faded away also?”
Lauren looks directly at him and says with anticipation, “They don’t have to.”
But James can only muster up a confused smirk at her answer.
Robert then takes control of the conversation. “Okay, Miss Coles, let me see if I have all of this straight; and I’d like to take it in three specific areas: your requirements of us, our timeline here, and our future. Okay?”
Lauren, “I’ll do my best, but if you don’t mind, may I bring Mr. Hinton in on this? He’s the lead for the FBI.”
“Sure,” says Robert, “I’ll assume that’s what works best.”
She takes out the walkie-talkie and says to it, “Agent Hinton, we’re ready for you in here.”
Joanna slips in the question. “So all of this is because of Joey’s prediction from back then? Why did it take so long?”
Lauren, feeling the most comfortable talking with Joanna, “Well, several things had to line up, and we had very little go on.”
Joanna, “Ohhhhh.”
“You know, Mrs. Market–”
“Oh, Lauren please, do you have to address me so formally? I know you’re—how do you boys say it—you’re with your game face; but it’ll go a long way towards me feeling comfortable with all this if you at least would refer to me as a friend.”
With a huge smile, Lauren says, “Thanks. Nothing would make me more happy—make me happier.”
Joanna looks over at James, who is now sitting with his face half buried in his hand, and then looks at Lauren and mouths, “Nothing would?”
Lauren kind of ducks her head a little and after a sigh, whispers, “Well, maybe I could think of something, but I’ll um, do as you said before; I’ll trust God for that.”
Joanna smiles, “So, I think you were about to ask me something.”
“Yes. I have sent digitals of your pages to my assistants in Washington, but we are particularly interested in a couple of things, that perhaps you could clear up.”
“I’ll try.”
“First there’s this gentleman who died.”
“The stranger who was supposed to bless the town?”
“Yes. Do you have a name for him?”
“Hmm. Carlton, somebody. Carlton or Carlson.”
Robert helps, “Gary Carlson.”
Lauren, “Excellent, thank you.” She whips out her PDA and texts a message to her research team to look into his death. She then spins around to Joseph and says. “Hey Joey, how are we doing on your journal? Any memory sparks?”
Joseph, “Not yet.”
Lauren looks at James again, but decides not to engag
e him at this time. At that moment Agent Hinton can be heard from the other room calling out, “Hellooooo.”
Robert, “We’re in here.” He catches himself and with an embarrassed look on his face, looks at Lauren, “Should I have done that?”
“Of course, sir; it’s your house.” She then looks at Joanna, “I’ll need to ask you about a co-worker of yours also. A Mr. Stone.”
Joanna, “Calvin, at the church? Okay.”
Hinton enters the kitchen and says, “Good morning everyone, how are we taking the news?”
Joanna, “I can’t believe it! I mean, I always felt that more would come of this gifting of Joseph’s, but never this!”
Hinton, “Yeah, well, it’s quite a lot to take in. Kinda like taking the red pill in the Matrix, you know?” They all smile and nod politely. “So, what do you want to know?”
Lauren, to Hinton, “Mr. Market wants to focus on three areas of concern, what do we expect of them, when is this going to be over, and what’s their future.”
Hinton is impressed, “That’s some very organized thinking; I appreciate that. Let’s start with our requirements. Really, we simply need you all to follow the instructions of Agent Coles or myself. We’ll be your contacts. In general you are to stay indoors, stay away from the windows, and stay off the phone and Internet. Other than that, it’s business as usual.”
Joanna, lightheartedly, “Oh, other than that!” They all laugh a little ... except James.
Hinton continues. “Yeah, I know this is a little like being held prisoner in your own home, but it will be over—which I believe answers one of your other questions—it will be over by eight p.m. tonight.” Looking at his watch he adds, “Just thirteen and a half more hours.”
Robert, “Just, he says. Mr. Hinton and Miss Coles, how serious is this?”
James pipes in, “Yeah! I count at least six federal agents here, including you two, are our lives in danger?”
Hinton and Lauren look at each other. Lauren nods to him a very slight “no,” letting him know she hasn’t revealed their true circumstance.
Hinton then turns to the family and says, “Sir, this is as serious as it gets. I don’t want to scare you, but I want to be as forthright as I can. Someone out there wants to abduct your son, and if they can’t have him, they don’t want anyone else to have him.”
Joanna gasps, “Abduct? And what do you mean by …”
Lauren then tries to say it delicately, “Well, they have shown themselves to be a credible threat to his well being.”
Joanna, still not able to accept it, looks at Robert, who looks at straight-talking Agent Hinton, who then says:
“Joey’s their target.”
In a gush of emotion Joanna says, “Oh, my Lord, please; don’t let anything happen to my son!”
Robert consoles her saying, “It won’t Glory. He will protect him—James, take your brother’s hand. Let’s pray.” And like earlier, before anyone has a chance to move, the Markets clasp hands in prayer. James has Joseph’s hand and his moms; who is holding her husband’s hand. Then Lauren walks around the table and takes Joseph’s other hand. Hinton bows his head respectfully.
Robert then quietly says, “Father in heaven, please keep this family safe, as you always have. Please continue to do so, in spite of this new threat, and I ask that you keep safe those who are here to protect us. I also pray for those who would do us harm; may you change their hearts and draw them unto a knowledge of you and your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”
They all say, “Amen.”
• • •
After a minute or two of silence, Joanna, who now feels a little more at peace, asks quietly, “So now what?”
Hinton says to her, “Well ma’am, you make breakfast, you shower, watch TV, and do what you would normally do, only, arrange it so they are things that you’d do around the house. And whenever possible, maintain close proximity to me or Miss Coles.”
They shrug their shoulders and otherwise acknowledge their willingness to comply.
Hinton grabs a file folder from his set of documents and some notes he has, and says, “Meanwhile if you don’t mind, I’m going to take Joey into the other room and ask him some questions.”
Robert, “Then I’m coming with him;” and the tension returns.
Hinton says firmly, “I’m sorry, sir, but I need to speak with him alone.”
Robert, who had just risen from his chair, is none too happy with this and stands frozen in his tracks.
Sympathetic, Lauren says, “Mr. Hinton, could Mr. Market sit in the room if he promises not to interfere?”
But Hinton frowns and replies, “Yes he could, but–”
“And legally,” interjects James. “You need my parent’s consent to question their under-aged son alone!”
Hinton continues, “Very astute, and I was going to get to that; BUT, I don’t think that’s what he wants to do. I think he wants what’s best for his family in this situation.” Turning to Robert, he says, “and, sir, I believe that is me alone with your son, Joe.”
In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Joanna offers, “Well, Robert, I stand behind whatever you decide, meanwhile I need to decide how much breakfast to make. Who’s hungry?”
With that welcome diversion, everyone relaxes a little answering, “I am.”
Then Robert walks up to Hinton, and says, “Mr. Hinton, I understand it is my right to be in the room.”
Hinton, “Yes it is, sir.”
Robert, “But you truly believe it is in our best interest if you do this alone?”
Hinton, “Yes, I do, sir.”
Robert, “Then, I stand behind our prayer, and I believe by God’s grace, you are asking the right thing. You okay with that, Joe?”
Joseph, “Yeah, Dad. As long as I’m back in time to eat.”
Joanna laughs and ever impressed with her son, says, “Sure sweetheart, I’ll see that you have a stack with your name on ’em.”
And with that, the two proceed to the living room to talk.
Standing at the door, watching his son go fearlessly to talk with an FBI agent, Robert is quite proud. Still amazed at the circumstances, he turns around and says to Lauren, “This is unbelievable. I would not have believed that something like this could happen.”
Lauren, “I agree; it is quite amazing, and a lot to take in. You guys have made it easy. You’ve been quite gracious about all of it.”
Robert asks, “Is it okay if we ask you more questions? Or will we distract you from what you need to do?”
Lauren, “No, it’s fine, I’ll answer any questions you have, if I can.”
Robert, “Why till eight tonight? What’s that all about?”
Looking out the window, while mixing a batch of pancake batter, Joanna says somberly, “For seven days later, your newly elected president will die … and no one will cry for him.”
Everyone just stares at her with a mixture of surprise and discomfort. She turns around and looking at all of them, says, “Some things I’m just never going to forget.”
Impressed, Robert says, “So that’s the end of the seventh day.”
Lauren, somberly, “Yes. Mrs. Jennings’ time of death was eight p.m. last Sunday.”
Turning his attention to his other son, who still appears to be in limbo, Robert says, “What do you make of all this Jimbo?”
James looks at him, and after a quick glance at Lauren replies, “Dad, to be honest, my head is spinning like a top right now. I can’t explain it. Not really.”
“Jim, you know what I say about honesty often being like a Band-Aid, just snatch it off and let the healing begin.”
“Dad, I’m not covering anything!”
“Well son, you may not be covering anything, but I’m sure you have questions you would like to ask.”
James looks down and says, “I don’t know.”
“Okay, I won’t push you son, but I think you should take seriously what you might be feeling. Before you know it, the opport
unity to ask those questions will be gone.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable, as the conversation seems to get personal, Lauren walks over to the back door and looks out its window, which puts a good 30 feet between her and the table where Mr. Market is sitting.
Joanna puts down the bowl she’s stirring and looks at her; then she turns and looks at James and after a moment, motions to him, “Well?”
James sees his mom’s gesture and replies to it with an exaggerated and comical gesture of his own that says, “What? What do you want me to do?”
To which his mom pantomimes with her fingers that he should walk over and talk with her.
James rolls his head back and then looks to his dad for support, but his dad dons an expression and turns away indicating, “Don’t look at me!”
All this silence gets the best of Lauren, whose gaze out of the window was originally intended to provide the Markets some semblance of privacy. But with them being so quiet she cannot help but use the reflection in the glass to see what’s going on; and sees the antics going on behind her. She can barely suppress the smile overtaking her face.
• • •
Meanwhile, Hinton and Joseph are settled into their seats in the other room.
Hinton asks Joseph, “So, who’s your favorite baseball team?”
“My favorite team? The Yankees.”
“Oh, really, who do you like on the Yankees?”
“Lots of people, Gonzales, Ramirez, Jackson.”
“Okay. How ’bout your brother?”
“He’s pretty much the same; though his favorite player is probably Jackson.”
“So he’s a fan of good defense.”
“Yeah.”
Standing to take off his overcoat and getting comfortable on the sofa, Hinton pulls out his note pad and continues, “So is this a Yankee household?”
Joseph, “Pretty much. I mean my mom doesn’t follow too much.”
Hinton, “No? What about your dad?”
“He’s still a fan, but he hasn’t been watching the games for a while.”
“Hmm, busy at work, I’m guessing.”
Sitting crossways in his favorite chair with his legs over the left chair arm and his back against the other, Joseph says with disappointment, “Yeah.”
The Journal: A Prophecy, A President & Death Page 27